Fred Pinkard Movies
- 2002
Officer Maya Anderson (Tanya Wright) finds herself in deep trouble when her story of her partner's death during a shoot-out does not jibe with the testimony of other eyewitnesses. This incident culminates in a clash between Det. Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) and his sweetheart, ADA Valerie Haywood (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon). In other developments, while making living arrangements for her late sister's baby, Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross) joins Rita Ortiz (Jacqueline Obradors) in investigating a child abduction. And suspicion mounts that John Clark Jr.'s (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) detective father (Joe Spano) may be a player in the IAB's scheme to get some damaging dirt on the 15th precinct. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
- 1996
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) finds several bags of Newman's mail in his storage lockup. Kramer (Michael Richards) uses a sick dog to get free cold medication for himself -- and ends up exhibiting a number of disturbing doglike tendencies (he even tries to "tell us something," Lassie style!) George (Jason Alexander) schemes to wrest a choice apartment away from a survivor of the 1956 Andrea Doria disaster. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) loses her latest boyfriend because she has a "big head." (And don't forget the fork in the forehead). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Greene's (Anthony Edwards) miserable personal life continues to spill over into his professional one. Ultimately, he risks dismissal by admitting a patient (Michael Galeota) for observation against the orders of Pediatrics chief Dr. Neil Bernstein (David Spielberg). Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) faces a violation-of-ethics charge for spending the night with med student Harper (Christine Elise), and Jeanie Boulet (Gloria Reuben, now joining the series' regular cast) is surprised by the aloofness of her former lover Benton (Eriq La Salle) during her first day as the ER's new physician's assistant. And Carol (Julianna Margulies) encounters innumerable distractions while filling out the necessary papers to purchase her own house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Larry (Garry Shandling) finds that a change of pace may be in order in this episode of HBO's Emmy award-winning satire of late-night talk shows. When a new owner acquires the station and begins meddling with the format of The Larry Sanders Show, Larry seriously considers either moving the show to the East Coast or quitting the business entirely and moving to Montana. Guest stars in this final episode of the second sesaon include David Warner, Bob Odenkirk, Robin Quivers, Fred Pinkard, Howard Stern, and Chris Farley. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A highly principled African-American independent filmmaker hides his early profession because his films never became popular. This Wonderworks drama chronicles what happens when the former filmmaker's niece finds his old films in a trunk and then begins researching her uncle's contributions. She then helps teach him to become proud of his refusal to make films that exploited his actors. The girl also learns the value of working on a team. The video comes with a handy viewer's guide to promote discussion after the film. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Low television ratings can take a heavy toll on talk show hosts, and Larry (Garry Shandling) begins to feel the heat as viewers tune out in this episode of HBO's The Larry Sanders Show. Worried that this may be the result of waning quality, Larry hires a focus group to tune up the show. Special guest stars include Dick Simmons and Pamela Sue Martin. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A private detective becomes involved in a new cast when her partner's guardian is murdered. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Crystal Bernard, Annabeth Gish, (more)
- 1985
- R
In an unusual comedy by Joan Darling, Brian Dennehy and Anne Archer star as the Richard, a druggist, and his wife Peggy, a pair of debt-ridden parents who rebel against the system. Nothing goes right while they try to uphold the system, then things get even worse when they leave it. Richard decides to pull the plug on modernity when he cannot meet his utility bills and creditors are at his door like wolves. He shuts off the electricity and sets up candles, buys a goat, and digs a well in the back yard. He finally does hit water, but it happens to be the city's water main. Peggy is not quite as crazed as her husband so she goes to see a shrink -- who promptly dies on her. If anything can go wrong for Richard and Peggy, it will. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Anne Archer, (more)
- 1981
The plan was to develop a Star Wars type TV series with heavy injections of Sword N Sorcery. The title of the pilot was Archer: Fugitive From the Empire (the Archer part was lopped off when the film went into syndication). Soap opera refugee Lane Caudell plays a prince on a faraway planet who has been accused of murdering his father. The deed was actually perpetrated by the king's nephew and an evil warrior, but the Prince can prove this only if he goes on a quest (naturally) to find a beneficent sorcerer. Belinda Bauer, wearing next to nothing, is the "Princess Leia/Red Sonja" of this saga. Archer: Fugitive From the Empire resulted in a very short-lived (and presumably very costly) series, which ran for about half a minute in mid-1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The town of Elkwood is up in arms when a high school track star dies while training for the Olympics. Held responsible for this tragedy is athletic coach Marty O'Banion (Frank Marth), who is accused of literally running his student to death. Faced with ever-mounting circumstantial evidence--to say nothing of the lynch-mob mentality festering in Elkwood--O'Banion's lawyer Benjamin Nicholson (John Elerick) turns to L.A. medical examiner Quincy (Jack Klugman) for help. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Billy Dee Williams stars as legendary ragtime pianist/composer Scott Joplin in this 1977 biopic. Despite his brilliance, Joplin (1868-1917) was confined by the color of his skin to the dregs of show business in the late 19th century. While competing in a musical contest, Joplin introduces his most famous composition, "The Maple Leaf Rag", thereby commanding the attention of a white music publisher. Offered a ridiculously low price for the song, Joplin nevertheless agrees to sell his composition, figuring that he has a better chance at fame and fortune once he's published. Before long, Ragtime music has become a national craze, and Joplin is rich beyond his wildest dreams. But the composer realizes that his brand of music is not considered respectable, and yearns to write something of more lasting value--a concerto, perhaps, or even an opera. Alas, Joplin's talents begin failing him, and by age 49 he is on the brink of death, a victim of syphilis. Originally made for television by Motown Films, Scott Joplin was released theatrically by Universal Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Dee Williams, Clifton Davis, (more)
This stylish and very entertaining blend of the horror and "Blaxploitation" genres takes some creative risks on a seriously limited budget but manages to deliver the gory goods. The story begins in New Orleans in the mid-1940s, with black crime kingpin J.D. Walker (David McKnight) shot dead on Bourbon Street. Flash forward to the present, when clean-cut college student Ike (Cooley High's Glynn E. Turman) falls under the malevolent influence of the ghostly gangster. As he begins to exhibit J.D.'s boisterous, violent traits, Ike seeks out a local minister (Louis Gossett, Jr., in a standout performance) -- who had once played a role in the gangster's execution -- to exact his revenge. This cult favorite has seen a revival of sorts on home video and primarily remains in the public eye due to the novelty value of its soundtrack: all songs are performed by the artist soon to be known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince -- who also supplies the vocal for " Will Never Let You Go". ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glynn E. Turman, Joan Pringle, (more)
- 1975
This episode focuses on the Jeffersons' interracial neighbors, Tom and Helen Willis (Franklin Cover, Roxie Roker). It seems that Tom's prejudiced white father (Leon Ames) refuses to have anything to do with Helen's prejudiced black father (Fred Pinkard), and vice versa. The Willises join forces with Lionel Jefferson (Damon Evans) to remedy this racial standoff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
